Postdoc in Digital twins for Energy Valleys

Delft University of Technology is hiring a postdoc on the subject of "digital twins for energy valleys". In order to reduce the carbon footprint of our society, the energy systems must develop on the local scale. To enable local energy systems we need digital twins that can support operational decision making by the local community (energy valley) stakeholders. The role of this postdoc is to establish the digital twin blueprint for energy valleys and implement it in a real-world setting. The main scientific challenge lies in modelling the system with various stakeholders (companies, governments, citizens) imperfect and partial information.
This positions is a part of the REFORMERS Horizon EU project. The postdoc will collaborate with partners from across EU and the Netherlands. The postdoc will be required to occasionally travel within the Netherlands, and to the consortium project meetings across EU. Additionally, the postdoc will contribute and lead several deliverables in this EU project.
In a nutshell, your work will be to develop the blueprint architecture of the digital twin for energy valleys. This includes ontologies, APIs and open source software stack to standardize the digital twin for this application. Starting with already existing open source solutions is desirable. The postdoc will also be in charge of validating and testing the developed solution. The postdoc will also develop several needed algorithms for proper functioning of the digital twin, including scenario evaluation, automated model creation, model adaptation, etc.
We are looking for a candidate with strong computer science background and system thinking. The knowledge and experience in the energy field is highly desirable. The affinity with modeling and modeling formalisms (such as optimization modeling, simulation modeling, agent-based modeling) is desirable.
We are looking for candidates who can start as soon as possible, although there is some flexibility in the starting date for the suitable candidate. The candidates will be screened as the applications arrive until the position is filled or the posting has expired.
About the department
The research in the Department of Electrical Sustainable Energy is inspired by the technical, scientific, and societal challenges originating from the transition towards a more sustainable society and focuses on four areas:

• DC Systems, Energy Conversion and Storage (DCE&S)
• Photovoltaic Materials and Devices (PVMD)
• Intelligent Electrical Power Grids (IEPG)
• High Voltage Technologies (HVT)

The Electrical Sustainable Energy Department provides expertise in these areas throughout the entire energy system chain. The department owns a large ESP Laboratory assembling High Voltage testing, DC Grids testing environment, and large RTDS that is actively used for real-time simulation of future electrical power systems, AC and DC protection and wide-area monitoring and protection.
The Intelligent Electrical Power Grid (IEPG) group, headed by Professor Peter Palensky, works on the future of our power system. The goal is to generate, transmit and use electrical energy in a highly reliable, efficient, stable, clean, affordable, and safe way. IEPG integrates new power technologies and smart controls, which interact with other systems and allow for more distributed and variable generation.

Requirements:

Essentials:

• A PhD degree in a field with a strong emphasis on computer science, modelling and algorithms. Relevant mathematical frameworks include simulation modelling, optimization theory, co-simulation, multi-scale modelling, complex system theory, control theory, operations research.
• Knowledge of the energy field is desirable.
• Affinity with programming.
• Good analytical and problem solving skills.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Excellent English skills.   

Salary Benefits:

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.
For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

36 - 40 hours per week

Mekelweg 2